Christian Osepins

Christian Osepins (1858–1887) was a Dutch-born United States Navy sailor and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Christian Osepins
Native name
Christiaan Osephius [1]
Born4 March 1858 [2]
Schiedam, Netherlands
DiedOctober 8, 1887(1887-10-08) (aged 29) [1]
Place of burial
Cemetery on the Broersvest, Schiedam [1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Navy
RankSeaman
UnitUSS Fortune
AwardsMedal of Honor

Biography

Osepins was born "Christiaan Osephius" in Schiedam to Gerritje Ruigrok and Johannes Osephius.[2] Osephius immigrated to the United States and joined the Navy from New York as Christian Osepins. By May 7, 1882, he was serving as a Seaman on the USS Fortune. On that day, while Fortune was at Hampton Roads, Virginia, he and another sailor, Ordinary Seaman Johannes Rouning, jumped overboard and rescued Gunner's Mate James Walters from drowning.[3]

For this action, both Osepins and Rouning were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884.[3] Osepins had not claimed his medal as of 1898, and the decoration remained in the possession of the Navy Department.[4]

Osepins's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For jumping overboard from the U.S. Tug Fortune, 7 May 1882, at Hampton Roads, Va., and rescuing from drowning James Walters, gunner's mate.[3]

Osepns died only 3 years later and was buried in his hometown of Schiedam.[1]

See also

References
  1. List of peace time Medal of Honors recipients (1871-1898) at the Division of Military and Naval Affairs history site
  2. Birthrecord Christiaan Osephius
  3. "Medal of Honor recipients - Interim Awards, 1871–1898". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 5, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
  4. "Medals awaiting owners". The New York Times. New York. February 7, 1898. Retrieved September 7, 2010.
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